Acoustic and visual observations of Sperm Whales, Physeter macrocephalus, off the Southeast Coast of Sri Lanka, April 2013

Authors

  • Abigail K Alling Biosphere Foundation
  • Carol Milner
  • Mark Van Thillo
  • Tilak Priyadarshana Dodampe Gamage Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

Abstract

An opportunistic study was carried out from a 113’ motor-sailing vessel along the southeast coast of Sri Lanka from April 11 to 19, 2013. Passive acoustic monitoring allowed pods of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) to be detected and tracked before being sighted. Key observations included sightings of whales along the 1000 m drop-off, repeated breaching of whales on two separate occasions within 50 m of a driftnet, and the presence of a single bull male with mating-related behaviour and jaw-clapping. These observations and other visual observations during the ship’s voyages indicate that sperm whales are located in Sri Lanka waters for feeding, breeding and calving. Keywords: Bull, Calves, Clang, Driftnet, Jaw Clap

Author Biography

  • Abigail K Alling, Biosphere Foundation
    Gaie is the CEO of the Biosphere Foundation (a USA 501 c 3 organization which she co-Founded in 1991), and its company in Bali, PT Biosphere Stewardship Center (which she incorporated in 2018). The Vision of Biosphere Foundation is to regenerate our Earth’s biosphere by empowering individuals to become ‘Biosphere Stewards’ – people who understand that their life depends on changing the way we care for our natural world.

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2024-10-24

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Vol. 14 No. 1 (2023): Ruhuna J Science

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